Dear editor:

Why do we have to have this unrelenting barrage of anti-human progress and anti-development stories and opinion pieces? Such as “Ford lied about Greenbelt. Now, Bill 23 will be bad for Niagara,” by David Israelson and “Big developments could be NOTL’s future if YOU don’t stand up,” by Brian Marshall (both Dec. 15).

I get it: your readers hold more value in the environment than that of our fellow human beings, but surely Niagara newspapers can find someone to argue in favour of human progress and development in Niagara-on-the-Lake?

Since I’ve moved here I’ve never understood how the metaphysical properties of the land differ from other cities.

In a universe where Toronto can be built – surely the greatest city in Canada – what right do we have to stop the progress in Niagara that has made Toronto such a great city in which to live?

The Greenbelt, conservation and heritage? If these are valid reasons for protecting these lands from development then surely private citizens would invest in the land to ensure they remain untouched.

Shouldn’t our goal be a Canada full of Toronto-like cities?

So to columnists Brian Marshall and David Israelson I have to ask, “How does a Toronto get built in your universe?”

Or is human flourishing only limited to a select few that already have?

Alexander Evans
NOTL